News / history
Some of Bristol’s rare ‘hidden treasures’ unveiled
Work by Brunel, pioneering early science documents and rare films are some of the artefacts to be unveiled to the wider public by Bristol University.
The collection of “hidden treasures” has always been available to view by academics and enthusiasts willing to travel to the city, but a £250,000 digitisation project means they can be studied online from anywhere in the world.
The thousands of artefacts date back to as early as the 11th century and include documents, historic maps, photos, objects and films.
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The material being digitised is part of the university’s Special Collections and Theatre Collections, both of which are internationally renowned.
The former features “the world’s finest collection of original Isambard Kingdom Brunel material”, works of early science, a leading record of medical history and the archives of Penguin Books Ltd.
The Theatre Collection is an accredited museum and an Arts Council designated collection relating to the history of British theatre and live art. It documents life on and offstage and contains archives of actors, designers, photographers, playwrights and theatre companies.
The university has invested £250,000 in the state-of-the-art digitisation equipment – image courtesy of Bristol University
Ed Fay, University of Bristol director of library services, said: “We are very excited to be opening up some of our most treasured collections to the world.
“These have always been open to study but soon no one will need be held back by time or geography.
“The pandemic brought home to us how important having virtual services can be. Putting our collections online not only democratises access to them, but also helps preserve them for generations to come.”
Historic maps and among the treasures to be unveiled to the wider public – image courtesy of Bristol University
The university has secured a £150,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council to pay for the state-of the-art digitisation equipment, plus a further £110,000 from a £1m pot from Research England World Class Laboratories, which will benefit several parts of the university.
University of Bristol experts will use video conferencing and 3D visualisations to guide those who cannot visit the collections in person through particular items in forensic detail.
This photo of comedian George Robey at the Albert Hall, London, in a concert for World War One servicemen and servicewomen, is part of the extensive collection – image courtesy of Bristol University
Main photo courtesy of Bristol University
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